Coming from a background where I had to wear a uniform everyday to school kindergarten through twelfth grade, I feel that I am qualified to write about implementing uniforms into public schools. This argument is a complicated one that has many pros and cons. Some people agree that by wearing uniforms a student is not allowed to express his or her individuality. Others think that enforcing uniform rules may make children more prone to get into trouble. By taking away some of their freedoms by making them wear a specific thing could aggravate some children’s naturally rebellious spirit to make them want to resist conformity even more. They may tighten, widen, shorten, and lengthen the uniforms in order to rebel.
On the other hand, I believe that a school uniform would be a positive thing for public schools to require. I used to hate wearing the same thing day after day but once I thought about all the positive things about them, I quickly changed my tune. I would hear stories about how much money the other kids who didn’t have to wear them spent on back to school clothes and it appalled me. Especially in the tender years of middle school that are swarming with bullies just waiting to criticize any little thing they can, I believe that having uniforms would take stress off of kids who are trying to fit in. If everyone wears the same thing then kids wouldn’t feel self conscious about not wearing designer clothes or wearing last year’s hand-me-downs and it would ease tension altogether. Schools focus on making sure that a student’s individuality and uniqueness isn’t determined by the kind of clothing they wear. Also studies have shown that in elementary schools with uniforms children tend to perform better because they are more focused. Clothing can be a distraction to learning and school for some becomes an unending fashion show. Another positive thing about school uniforms is the price. So many families spend hundreds of dollars on a new wardrobe for their growing child each school year. School uniforms are a bargain and are way more economical than designer brands and trendy fad clothes. Also uniforms can help build school spirit and instills a sense of belonging in students. In general I believe that students and families alike would benefit a lot from implementing uniforms into public school systems.
I definitely agree that uniforms in public schools is ultimately a positive thing that benefits students, teachers, and parents. I attended public school my whole life and actually got to experience both sides. In middle school grades 6-8 my school required uniforms my 7th grade year. So in 6th grade I did not wear a uniform but 7-8 grade I did. Middle school being the most awkward, embarrassing, and hated years of an adolescent’s life I absolutely loved having a uniform for 7th and 8th grade. I agree that uniforms save students the hassle of having to pick out an “acceptable” outfit to wear to school based on popular trends and pressure to fit in. Students are able to avoid pressure to buy name brand clothes therefore it is less financially straining on parents. I remember when I was in 6th grade and begged my parents to buy me all sorts of expensive name brand clothes just because that is what was “cool” to wear. Uniforms also keep students in a sense “on the same level” because they are all wearing the same thing. There is nothing based on clothing that students have to disagree, harass, or bully each other about thus making tension between students in regard to clothing easier on teachers. As someone who experienced both sides of uniforms I definitely believe it should be required in schools, even public schools.
ReplyDeleteAllison Lafargue
I believe that public schools should make students wear uniforms as well. I went to a public school and experienced the whole "trying to fit in" by wearing the clothes that were in fashion at the time. Back in middle school, our school board tried to pass a policy that all the students had to wear uniforms, and most people at my school voted against. I was one of the few that voted for it because I realized that it would be nice not having to worry about what I was going to wear each day to school. It didn't have to worry about if I was going to be judged on what i was wearing as well. I feel like uniforms would keep people's ego up and not shut their confidence about them selves down just because of that one person who made fun of what you were wearing.
ReplyDeleteKara Oliver
I agree that wearing school uniforms would be more of a positive thing rather than a negative thing for students. It's like you said, I feel like by everyone wearing the same thing there wouldn't be any pressure and students worrying about fitting in or being made fun of from what they were wearing. I never had to wear uniforms but I do believe it would have a positive impact on students and I feel like it would help them perform better in school because they wouldn't be so distracted by what other people are wearing. I think students would rebel against it but over time I think they would just get used to it and see that it wasn't such a bad thing.
ReplyDelete-Meagan Madere
Oh, uniforms at public schools. I have to say, I have been on both ends of the spectrum. As I was in elementary school I attended a private school in my town, where we obviously wore uniforms. I hated that I only had certain colors I could choose to wear and some were not so flattering. As I changed from uniforms to not having uniformed school dress code... I felt free, for a while. When the weather was warmer, you had to be very cautious what you wore because not everything is acceptable in schools.
ReplyDeleteAs you stated, school clothes can get very expensive. It would be easier to budget if you had only uniforms to wear to school. You wouldn't have to worry about not being of dress code anymore. A lot of nice things could come from this. Personally, I'm glad that I didn't have uniformed dress codes, but I can see how much easier it would have been if I did not only on myself, but on my parents bank accounts also.
Megan Carroll
I agree with you about saying that school is obviously not all about what new shirt or bottom your wearing, it's about being able to excel in academics because that is ultimately what you are there for. I personally went to public school for all twelve years and I could say that by the end I did not care what I looked like when I went to school each morning, and knowing that I could just throw on some sweatpants and T-shirt was nice. I see what you mean about everyone looking the same so no one would be self conscious or aware of other in the classroom because I heard and saw some of the things that people would say to each other. But at the same time I was glad I never had to wear a uniform, but that was all I knew.
ReplyDeleteLike many others have stated, I also agree that school uniforms for public schools is a good idea. Having attended a public school myself, I saw firsthand the problems it can cause. Many times, although not always to their face, I would hear comments on how badly or weird so-and-so is dressed. A universal uniform would solve these problems. Also, having multiple varieties of the same uniform would still allow for some individual freedom for the students. If everyone was given the same set of five uniforms, the students could have variety while still not being dressed too differently than others. There are some concerns over school uniforms, such as the cost, but in this case, the positive definitely outweighs the negative.
ReplyDeleteCorey Inboden